Vehicle deceleration warning apparatus

ABSTRACT

A deceleration warning apparatus to provide a deceleration signal is disclosed. The deceleration warning apparatus includes a deceleration responsive switch which will complete an electrical circuit to actuate a signal in response to actual or intended deceleration in excess of a preset speed differential range.

' United States Patent Crawford [54] VEHICLE DECELERATION WARNINGAPPARATUS [72] Inventor: Henry Crawford, 1560 Bermuda Place, Cincinnati,Ohio 45231 [22] Filed: May 18, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 37,974

[52] US. Cl ..340/71, 340/262, ZOO/61.45 [51] Int. Cl ..B60q 1/44 [58]Field of Search ..340/7i, 72, 66, 262;

ZOO/61.45

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Brown ..340/262 15]3,659,268 1 Apr. 25, 1972 3,359,540 12/1967 Dunavan .340/72 3,057,97610/1962 Weaver ..34o/71ux Primary ExaminerAlvin H. Waring AnomeyKinneyand Schenk [57] ABSTRACT A deceleration warning apparatus to provide adeceleration signal is disclosed. The deceleration warning apparatusincludes a deceleration responsive switch which will complete anelectrical circuit to actuate a signal in response to actual or intendeddeceleration in excess of a preset speed differential range.

9 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures 1 VEHICLE DECELERATION WARNING APPARATUSBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally todeceleration responsive apparatus and more particularly to adeceleration warning apparatus for use on any vehicle capable ofaccelerating and decelerating.

When a person is operating a motor vehicle such as an automobile, itwould be advantageous to know whether the vehicle immediately in frontof you is decelerating rather than accelerating or maintaining itsspeed. From a safety standpoint, an advance warning or knowledge of thisfact would be highly advantageous. In these days of high intensityfreeway travel, it is not infrequent to read about massive rear endcollisions involving anywhere from or more automobiles. These accidentsgenerally occur because the first car suddenly decelerates for a reasonthe cars immediately behind cannot see or know. The cars behind the leadcar have no advance warning and continue at their present speed or evenaccelerate until they see the flash of the stoplights on the carimmediately preceding them. If a driver of an automobile had a warningthat the car immediately in front of his has started to decelerate,i.e., the driver has removed his foot from the accelerator pedal, thisslight advance knowledge prior to the coming on of the brake lightsmight prevent an accident. At the present time, there is no such advancewarning light or system available. The only warning of a deceleration ofthe vehicle in front of you is the flash of the stoplights.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a vehicledeceleration warning apparatus which will provide an advance warning tofollowing vehicles that the operator of the first vehicle has started todecelerate.

A further object of this invention is to provide a warning system havinga signal means and being responsive to deceleration forces.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a switch memberattachable to a part of the accelerator pedal linkage whereindeceleration of the vehicle is anticipated by reaction to theaccelerator pedal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention provides a deceleration warningapparatus for installation on vehicles. The warning apparatus is ofsimple and economical construction and provides an indication of thevehiclesactual deceleration or the operator's intention to decelerate.The invention comprises a switch mechanism which is connected to theaccelerator linkage and is responsive to movements of the acceleratorlinkage, as well as deceleration forces which override the conditionestablished by the accelerator linkage. The switch mechanism completesan electrical circuit to provide a signal indicating actual or an intentto decelerate.

Other details, uses, and advantages of this invention will becomeapparent as the following description of an exemplary embodiment thereofpresented in the accompanying drawings proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS present exemplary em- DESCRIPTION OFTHE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT Reference is now made to FIG. 1 whichillustrates one ex emplary embodiment of the deceleration warningapparatus of this invention, which is designated generally by thereference numeral 10. The deceleration waming apparatus is comprised LIIof switch mechanism having an outer housing 12. A deceleration warningsystem comprising the apparatus of this invention is schematically shownin FIG. 2. It is seen that a signal means, such as a light 54, isconnected by lead line 56 to the battery 58. The light 54 is connectedby lead line 60 to the switch apparatus 10. The housing 12 is connectedto ground by lead line 62 which is secured to the housing 12 byconventional means. As will be explained more fully below, the light 54is energized when there is a complete circuit between lines 60 and 62through the switch apparatus 10. The light 54 is mounted at the rear ofthe vehicle and is preferably of an amber color so as to bedistinguishable from the stoplights.

The housing 12 is preferably of a cylindrical form having an end cap 14afiixed to one end and an end cap 16 removably attached to the other endof the cylindrical housing 12 by any suitable means such as cooperatingthreads 18. The cap 16 has an aperture 20 formed therein through which arod 22 is inserted. A bushing 24 is fitted in aperture 20 and is insealing engagement with the rod 22. The purpose of the bushing 24 is toprevent moisture from entering the interior of the housing Mountedwithin the housing 12 is a piston 26 having a bore 28 extendingtherethrough. The rod 22 extends through the bore 28 so that the piston26 may slide therealong. Spring pressure rings 30 and 32 are mounted incooperatively formed grooves 34 and 36 formed in each end of the piston26. The rings 30 and 32 provide a sliding contact between the piston 26and housing 12.

At the end of rod 22 there is mounted a contact member 38. The contactmember 38 may be any configuration, such as a concentric ring or it maybe a split member, so long as a contact point or surface 40 will makecontact with a corresponding contact surface 42 formed at one end of thepiston 26. The contact member 38 is electrically isolated from the rod22 by the use of insulated screws 44 and a dielectric material 46 placedbetween the contact member 38 and the end of rod 22.

The maximum axial distance of the gap between contact points 40 and'42may be set through the use of an adjustment element 48, such as a ringor nut, which is secured to the rod 22 by any suitable means such as setscrew 50. The distance of the gap determines the speed differentialrange through which the switch apparatus operates.

The other end of the rod 22 is secured by any suitable means such as aclamp 52 to any movable portion of the accelerator linkage or train. Inother words, the rod 22 may be attached anywhere from the gas pedalthrough thelinkage to the carburetor. Thus, when the accelerator isdepressed to increase the speed of the vehicle, the rod 22 will be movedaxially in the direction of arrows toward the end cap 14 of the housing12.

The line 60 extends from one terminal of the light 54 and through a bore64 which extends the length of rod 22. It is seen that the line 60 hasan insulated covering 66 thereon which ends a short distance from thecontact member 38. The line 60 is connected to the contact member 38 ata point 68 by any suitable means such as soldering. The rod 22, piston26, rings 30 and 32, and housing 12 are all made of a conductivematerial. Thus, when there is electrical continuity between line 60,contact member 38, piston 26, rings 30 and 32, housing 12 and groundline 62, the circuit is complete and the light 54 is actuated. In otherwords, when the contact member 38 engages the piston 26, the circuitwill be complete and the light 54 will be on.

In some instances it may be desirable to complete the circuit from thepiston 26 through the rod 22 to clamp 52 to ground.

In these cases, the rings 30 and 32 and the housing 12 may be made ofnon-conducting material.

The housing 12 is mounted on the vehicle so that it is in axialalignment with the direction of movement of the vehicle and the rod 22is connected by the clamp 52 to a portion of the accelerator train.Thus, when the accelerator is depressed to provide vehicle acceleration,the rod 22 moves axially relative to the housing 12 in the direction ofarrows 70. The ring 48, securedly attached to rod 22, engages piston 26and urges the piston in the direction of the arrows 70.

During the initial accelerating stage and when the desired speed hasbeen reached and the accelerator pedal is maintained at a constantposition to maintain the desired speed, a gap between contact surfaces40 and 42 will exist and the light 54 is off. This gap is the speeddifferential range and this range may be adjusted by the adjustment ofthe ring 48 along the rod 22. Thus, if the gap is set to provide a speeddifferential range of miles per hour, contact between surfaces 40 and 42will not be made until either the rod 22 moves in the direction ofarrows 72 or the piston 26 moves in the direction of the arrows 70 dueto inertia forces acting thereon a distance equivalent to the speeddifferential range of 10 miles per hour. When contact is made betweensurfaces 40 and 42, the electrical circuit is complete and light 54 willbe energized to indicate an actual or intended deceleration.

As an example, if the speed differential range is 10 mph and the vehiclehas reached and is maintaining a speed of 70 mph, the gap as shown inFIG. 1 will be present. If the speed of the vehicle decreases to 61 mph,the rod 22 will have moved in the direction of arrows 72 but a slightgap will still exist between surfaces 40 and 42, assuming that this hasbeen a gradual decrease in speed and the accelerator pedal has only beenslightly let up to the 61 mph position. If the accelerator pedal isfurther released so that the vehicle speed drops to 60 mph or below, thesurfaces 40 and 42 will make contact and the light 54 will come on andremain on until the rod 22 is moved in the direction of arrows 70sufficiently to break the contact between surfaces 40 and 42. However,if the operator of the vehicle, rather than decreasing further from 61mph, accelerates to 75 mph the existing gap will continue. However, thespeed differential range will now be changed to exist between 75 mph and65 mph. Hence, if the vehicle decelerates from 75 to 64 mph, the lightwill be energized.

Another example of the use of the invention is when the vehicle operatordecides to decelerate his vehicle and removes his'foot from theaccelerator. As soon as the foot is removed from the accelerator pedal,the rod 22 moves in the direction of the arrows 72 and the contactelement 38 immediately engages the piston 26. The vehicle may still bytraveling at 70 mph, i.e., the upper limit of the speed differentialrange for example, yet the light 54 will come on. Hence, an advanceindication of the vehicle's impending deceleration is given because ofthe reaction of the rod 22 to the accelerator pedal linkage.

The light 54 will also be energized in the case of a panic stop in whichthe operator still has his foot engaging the accelerator but hasadditionally depressed the brake to overcome the accelerating force. Inthis condition, the piston 26, because of the inertia force actingthereon, will slide in the direction of the arrows 70 to make contactwith surface 40 of the contact member 38 causing the light 54 to go on.Should the brake light be on but the light 54 off, assuming the light 54is in operating condition, this would indicate that the vehicle is notdecelerating, as indicated by the brake lights. This might be the casewhen a person is resting his foot on the brake pedal just enough tocause the brake lights to be energized without causing a braking actionof the vehicle.

The deceleration warning apparatus hereinabove described has beenspecifically described for use with the indicating signal at the rear ofthe vehicle to provide a visual indication to a following vehicle. It isfeasible that another indicating means may be placed at the front of thevehicle to serve the same purpose of warning about deceleration. Inother words, a pedestrian would be able to observe an oncoming car todetermine whether it is decelerating. In addition, a person in a vehiclewhich has stopped or is decelerating may be able to observe a vehicleapproaching the rear of his vehicle in order to provide warning to theoperator of the first vehicle to prepare himself for a jolt if the carcoming up in the rear is not decelerating. It is also a possibility thatan audible or visual indication might be placed in the vehicle itself toprovide an indication to the operator of the vehicle.

It can be seen that with the use of the deceleration warning apparatusof this invention that a warning is provided to others of an actual oranticipated deceleration of the vehicle. Thus, this invention provides adeceleration warning apparatus which is of simple and economicalconstruction, is easily operable and accomplishes the desired objectshereinabove set forth.

While a present exemplary embodiment of this invention has beenillustrated and described, it will be recognized'that this invention maybe otherwise variously embodied and practiced by those skilled in theart.

What is claimed is:

l. A decelerating warning apparatus for use on accelerator controlledvehicles comprising in combination a deceleration responsive switchmeans having a speed differential range over which said switch means isnormally in a first condition, said switch means being connected to anaccelerator linkage wherein movement of the accelerator to increasevehicle speed adjusts said switch means whereby the vehicle maximumspeed is the upper limit of the speed differential range, indicatormeans, and an electrical circuit interconnecting said indicator meansand said switch means wherein said switch means being moved to a secondcondition in response to deceleration forces activates the circuitwhereby said indicator means is energized to thereby indicate vehicledeceleration, a housing having a long axis, said switch means beingmounted within said housing and said housing being mounted on a vehicleso that the long axis thereof is parallel to the direction of thevehicle, said switch means comprises a first member mounted in saidhousing for movement along the long axis thereof, a second membermounted in saidhousing for movement along the long axis thereof, saidfirst and second members being normally spaced axially apart in theabsence of deceleration forces wherein the maximum axial gaptherebetween represents the speed differential range, an elongate rodextending into said housing and mounted for movement within the housingalong the axis, one end of said rod being connected to the acceleratorlinkage, said first member being mounted on the other end of said rod,adjustment means adjustably secured to said elongate rod for engagementwith said second member wherein movement of the accelerator linkage inthe accelerating direction causes said rod to move along the axis ofsaid housing whereby said adjustment means engages said second memberand causes movement of said second member along the axis of the housingand thereby maintaining the maximum axial gap between said first andsaid second members, said elongate rod formed with an axial boretherethrough, said electrical circuit including an insulated leadextending through said axial bore and being connected to said firstmember wherein the electrical circuit is in a first circuit conditionwhen any gap exists between said first and second members and saidelectrical circuit is in a second circuit condition when said first andsecond members are in contact one with the other.

2. A deceleration warning apparatus for use on accelerator controlledvehicles comprising in combination a deceleration responsive switchmeans having a speed differential range over which said switch means isnormally in a first condition, said switch means being connected to anaccelerator linkage wherein movement of the accelerator to increasevehicle speed adjusts said switch means whereby the vehicle maximumspeed is the upper limit for the speed differential range, indicatormeans, and an electrical circuit interconnecting said indicator meansand said switch means wherein said switch means being moved to a secondcondition in response to deceleration forces activates the circuitwhereby said indicator means is energized to thereby indicate vehicledeceleration, a housing having a long axis, said switch means beingmounted within said housing and said housing being mounted on a vehicleso that the long axis thereof is parallel to the direction of thevehicle, said housing comprising an elongate cylinder being closed atboth ends, one end of said cylinder being formed with an aperture andfurther comprising an elongate rod extending through said aperture, oneend of said rod being connected to the accelerator linkage, said switchmeans comprises a contact member secured to the other end of said rodand providing a first contact surface, and a second contact memberhaving as axial bore therethrough, said rod extending through the boreof said second member wherein said rod can move relative to said secondmember, said second second member providing a second contact surfacecomplimentary with the contact surface of said first member.

3. The warning apparatus according to claim 1 in which said first memberis formed in a cuplike shape, said cuplike member having a lip providinga contact surface for engaging said second member, means for mountingsaid cuplike member to said other end of said rod wherein said cuplikemember is electrically isolated from said rod, and the ground connectionfor said electrical circuit being made through said second member.

4. The warning apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising a sealmeans mounted in said aperture, said seal means being in sealingengagement with said elongate rod, adjustable means secured to saidelongate rod for engagement with said second contact member so that anaxial gap exists between the first and second contact surfaces wherebythe axial gap represents the speed differential range.

5. The warning apparatus according to claim 4 in which said elongate rodis formed with an axial bore therethrough, said electrical circuithaving an insulated lead line extending through the bore in said rod andbeing connected to said first contact member, means for electricallyisolating said first contact member from said rod, contact meansattached to said second member for cooperative engagement with saidhousing and means connecting said housing to a ground connection wherebyelectrical continuity exists in said electrical circuit when said firstand second members are in contact one with the other.

6. The warning apparatus according to claim 5 in which said secondcontact member is an elongate piston-like shape being formed with anaxial bore therethrough, said rod extending through the bore in saidsecond member wherein said rod can move axially relative to said secondmember, and in which said means for adjusting the maximum axial gap is anutlike member adjustably secured to said rod between said second memberand the aperture end of said housing and wherein said nutlike memberwill engage said second contact member during acceleration of thevehicle as said rod axially moves in said housing in response to theaccelerator linkage movement whereby said second contact member is alsomoved axially by said nutlike member and the maximum vehicle speeddetermines the upper limit of the speed differential range.

7. The warning apparatus according to claim 6 further comprising a sealmounted in said aperture to make sealing contact with said rod, meansattached to the periphery of said piston-like second member for makingsliding contact between said second member and said housing, and inwhich said first member is formed in a cuplike shape.

8. The warning apparatus according to claim 7 further comprislngmounting means for securing said cuplike member to the other end of saidrod wherein said cuplike member is electrically isolated from said rod.

9. The warning apparatus according to claim 8 in which said elongate rodis formed with an axial bore therethrough and in which said electricalcircuit includes an insulated lead extending through the bore in saidrod and being connected to said cuplike member wherein said electricalcircuit is in a first condition when any gap exists between said firstand second contact members and said electrical circuit is in a secondcircuit condition when said first and second contact members are incontact one with the other.

1. A decelerating warning apparatus for use on accelerator controlledvehicles comprising in combination a deceleration responsive switchmeans having a speed differential range over which said switch means isnormally in a first condition, said switch means being connected to anaccelerator linkage wherein movement of the accelerator to increasevehicle speed adjusts said switch means whereby the vehicle maximumspeed is the upper limit of the speed differential range, indicatormeans, and an electrical circuit interconnecting said indicator meansand said switch means wherein said switch means being moved to a secondcondition in response to deceleration forces activates the circuitwhereby said indicator means is energized to thereby indicate vehicledeceleration, a housing having a long axis, said switch means beingmounted within said housing and said housing being mounted on a vehicleso that the long axis thereof is parallel to the direction of thevehicle, said switch means comprises a first member mounted in saidhousing for movement along the long axis thereof, a second membermounted in said housing for movement along the long axis thereof, saidfirst and second members being normally spaced axially apart in theabsence of deceleration forces wherein the maximum axial gaptherebetween represents the speed differential range, an elongate rodextending into said housing and mounted for movement within the housingalong the axis, one end of said rod being connected to the acceleratorlinkage, said first member being mounted on the other end of said rod,adjustment means adjustably secured to said elongate rod for engagementwith said second member wherein movement of the accelerator linkage inthe accelerating direction causes said rod to move along the axis ofsaid housing whereby said adjustment means engages said second memberand causes movement of said second member along the axis of the housingand thereby maintaining the maximum axial gap between said first andsaid second members, said elongate rod formed with an axial boretherethrough, said electrical circuit including an insulated leadextending through said axial bore and being connected to said firstmember wherein the electrical circuit is in a first circuit conditionwhen any gap exists betWeen said first and second members and saidelectrical circuit is in a second circuit condition when said first andsecond members are in contact one with the other.
 2. A decelerationwarning apparatus for use on accelerator controlled vehicles comprisingin combination a deceleration responsive switch means having a speeddifferential range over which said switch means is normally in a firstcondition, said switch means being connected to an accelerator linkagewherein movement of the accelerator to increase vehicle speed adjustssaid switch means whereby the vehicle maximum speed is the upper limitfor the speed differential range, indicator means, and an electricalcircuit interconnecting said indicator means and said switch meanswherein said switch means being moved to a second condition in responseto deceleration forces activates the circuit whereby said indicatormeans is energized to thereby indicate vehicle deceleration, a housinghaving a long axis, said switch means being mounted within said housingand said housing being mounted on a vehicle so that the long axisthereof is parallel to the direction of the vehicle, said housingcomprising an elongate cylinder being closed at both ends, one end ofsaid cylinder being formed with an aperture and further comprising anelongate rod extending through said aperture, one end of said rod beingconnected to the accelerator linkage, said switch means comprises acontact member secured to the other end of said rod and providing afirst contact surface, and a second contact member having as axial boretherethrough, said rod extending through the bore of said second memberwherein said rod can move relative to said second member, said secondsecond member providing a second contact surface complimentary with thecontact surface of said first member.
 3. The warning apparatus accordingto claim 1 in which said first member is formed in a cuplike shape, saidcuplike member having a lip providing a contact surface for engagingsaid second member, means for mounting said cuplike member to said otherend of said rod wherein said cuplike member is electrically isolatedfrom said rod, and the ground connection for said electrical circuitbeing made through said second member.
 4. The warning apparatusaccording to claim 2 further comprising a seal means mounted in saidaperture, said seal means being in sealing engagement with said elongaterod, adjustable means secured to said elongate rod for engagement withsaid second contact member so that an axial gap exists between the firstand second contact surfaces whereby the axial gap represents the speeddifferential range.
 5. The warning apparatus according to claim 4 inwhich said elongate rod is formed with an axial bore therethrough, saidelectrical circuit having an insulated lead line extending through thebore in said rod and being connected to said first contact member, meansfor electrically isolating said first contact member from said rod,contact means attached to said second member for cooperative engagementwith said housing and means connecting said housing to a groundconnection whereby electrical continuity exists in said electricalcircuit when said first and second members are in contact one with theother.
 6. The warning apparatus according to claim 5 in which saidsecond contact member is an elongate piston-like shape being formed withan axial bore therethrough, said rod extending through the bore in saidsecond member wherein said rod can move axially relative to said secondmember, and in which said means for adjusting the maximum axial gap is anutlike member adjustably secured to said rod between said second memberand the aperture end of said housing and wherein said nutlike memberwill engage said second contact member during acceleration of thevehicle as said rod axially moves in said housing in response to theaccelerator linkage movement whereby said second contact member is alsomoved axially by said nutlike member and the maximum vehicle speeddEtermines the upper limit of the speed differential range.
 7. Thewarning apparatus according to claim 6 further comprising a seal mountedin said aperture to make sealing contact with said rod, means attachedto the periphery of said piston-like second member for making slidingcontact between said second member and said housing, and in which saidfirst member is formed in a cuplike shape.
 8. The warning apparatusaccording to claim 7 further compris1ng mounting means for securing saidcuplike member to the other end of said rod wherein said cuplike memberis electrically isolated from said rod.
 9. The warning apparatusaccording to claim 8 in which said elongate rod is formed with an axialbore therethrough and in which said electrical circuit includes aninsulated lead extending through the bore in said rod and beingconnected to said cuplike member wherein said electrical circuit is in afirst condition when any gap exists between said first and secondcontact members and said electrical circuit is in a second circuitcondition when said first and second contact members are in contact onewith the other.